Credit: The Associated Press

Queens Park Rangers' manager Harry Redknapp takes to the touchline before his team's English Premier League soccer match against Everton at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, England, Saturday April 13, 2013.

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LIVERPOOL, England — Everton pushed a lackluster Queens Park Rangers ever closer to relegation Saturday with a 2-0 win in the Premier League that kept David Moyes' side in touch with the Champions League places.

A deflected strike from Darron Gibson in the 40th minute and a smart finish from Victor Anichebe in the 56th secured a routine victory for the hosts, as QPR failed to show the attitude and endeavor it will need to find a way to stay up. Harry Redknapp's team is seven points from safety with just five games remaining.

Everton also struggled to create chances until Gibson's long-range strike took a significant deflection off Clint Hill to leave goalkeeper Julio Cesar helpless.

If Redknapp expected a response from his players after the break he would have been disappointed as it was Everton which came out more determined, and Anichebe neatly hooked home a close-range shot to double the lead.

Everton is in sixth place, three points outside the Champions League spots.